Crystal: Hello everyone! Once again… I'm so very sorry for not updating sooner. But… no matter… here I am, and with another chapter for you guys to read! --smiles--

Thanks to: SaFire flamE, Prozacfairy, Devlinn Reiko-sama, Saber-kon, Tariki Rania, Vampyre Neko, Danya2, ChibiNekoSakura, Moon Bind, Hyper breeze from the east, Koneko no Rei, TNTiggris, Phoenixflame905, Devilburns, Forfirith-on-a-sugar-high, Shadow Tigress a.k.a Kit, Raku Ozzarian Princess, Kai-cutie-angel, Nothinglittlegirl, SnowIce, Winged Wolves, Yukio, Ladyfiction, White Spirit Angel, Duct Tape Kitten, Kat5, Shayde-chan, LordIronDuke126, Renanimeangel, Angel of pure darkness, SoulSister, Autumnburn, Mizurazame, Neko-jin -2004!

I was really surprised that I still get reviews even though I haven't been updating for a long time, but when I got them I was really inspired to continue on working on the chapter… so I figured that I'd dedicate this chapter to all of you readers and reviewers! Oh, and to answer your questions, Yukio, I will never, EVER abandon this story… EVER! I'm just really slow at updating and I'm hardly even on the computer at times now because of school… anyway, gomen ne for waiting so long --bows-- Oh, and one more thing… again, I've decided that I think this will be the last instalment of Rehearsals, the survival of the fittest! Yes… I know I have a very disturbing and un-decisive mind… so yeah… Now, on with the chapter!

Disclaimer: … you all know the sentence already…

Breathe - Chapter 19: Rehearsals, the survival of the fittest Part two!

Rei groaned at the sound of the door banging and a muffled "Rise and shine, my little pretties! Time for breakfast!" outside the door to their room. He sat up, and stretched like a cat, while yawning slightly; he then looked at his surrounding and noticed that he's in a room, which looks very similar to other room back at the other castle. He looked at his side to see Kai sleeping peacefully, and then he caressed the pale cheek with the back of his hand.

He looks so peaceful… The neko-jin thought, as he was trying to get out of bed quietly so he couldn't wake the sleeping young man up.

Even though the sun has risen to do its daily task, the room is fairly dark since the heavy curtains haven't been open yet. But that didn't bother Rei at all, since his golden eyes can see just fine through the dark. He carefully placed the blanket on Kai's shoulder and gave a small kiss on the cheek, while going towards the vanity so he could brush his extremely long raven hair.

Today's the day for the rehearsals… I wonder what're we going to do… He winced slightly when the brush that he was holding passed through a nasty knot. Hopefully everything will go accordingly to plan… and I wonder if all the clothes are here… Rei put the brush down and changed into his usual Chinese attire. Since the dark was getting into him, he then pulled the heavy linen curtains to both sides, letting the sunshine come through the clear and transparent glass.

The neko-jin decided that he should wake up Kai, after all they're already late for breakfast as it is; and so, he walked back to the bed, where Kai's side is and gently shook the crimson-eyed man. "Kai," he whispered quietly, while he kept on shaking. "Kai, wake up."

But, what Rei didn't know, is that Kai was already awake before him. He had been just too lazy to get out of bed, and so when the neko-jin had woken up, Kai pretended to be asleep, while quietly watching Rei from the corner of his eyes. When he had notice that Rei was shaking him, Kai suddenly had an idea and gave a small, feral smirk. And with that, he suddenly grabbed Rei by the elbows and pinned him by the bed, with the slate-haired young man on top.

"Well… this wasn't really what I was expecting…" Rei mumbled, while light lines were slightly creasing on his forehead, turning it into a small frown, yet he could feel his cheeks heating up a bit. The neko-jin looked at Kai's mischievous crimson eyes and gave a small yet cute smile that would make the stoic one melt into a puddle of goo. "Good morning, Kai. Had a pleasant sleep?" Rei squeaked, making Kai's smirk widen a little.

Kai leaned a little bit forward, his smirk still in place and just a few millilitres away from the neko-jin's lips, "Indeed I had a very pleasant sleep," he said, satisfied to make Rei a little bit nervous.

"Umm, Kai… don't you think we should go downstairs for breakfast now?"

And just before Kai could respond or do something…

Their bedroom door just slammed open, and Tala stormed inside as if he's gotten into a fight with someone.

"There you both are! For the sake of humanity, breakfast has already--Oh, I didn't realize that you were busy." The red head started to smirk, while Kai rolled off the blushing Rei. The poor neko-jin… it looks like he's ready to faint.

Kai glared at Tala while Rei climbed out of the bed and started to smooth out his clothing. Then he gave a small greeting to Tala and a smile to Kai, heading out from the bedchambers. When the neko-jin was out of the earshot, Kai threw a pillow towards the red head, making Tala's head throb in pain.

"OWW! That hurt, Kai!" Tala winced, while rubbing his head, walking towards an armchair. "What were you two doing anyway? It looked like you were ready ravish him or something."

Kai grunted and walked around the huge flat board so he could change into his usual attire. "First of all, it WAS supposed to hurt, you idiot. Second, we're NOT doing anything!"

Since Kai was around the huge flat board, he didn't see Tala roll his eyes. "We're not doing anything, my foot…" he muttered, while still rubbing his defenceless head. "Anyway, I heard from my father that your relatives and Rei's relatives were already here, so in within the hour, we would start the rehearsals." He saw Kai come out of the huge flat board, watching his best friend put on the dark blue shark fins on his cheeks. "I've met some of Rei's other cousins. Surprisingly they're annoyed with the pink one as well, and it's even more surprising that one of them is obsessed with her."

The slate-haired young man gave a small smirk and his crimson eyes were giving a disbelieving look. "You're kidding me, right?" When he saw Tala's head shook, he gave a small, cold laugh. "He must be very idiotic to like her then."

"I don't think so. I talked to him; he looked and sounded pretty sane to me. Heck, even Bryan, Max, and Kenny talked to him too." Tala explained. "Anyway, enough talk about families and relatives. Let's talk about something else, shall we?" When he saw Kai's glance, Tala took it as a sign of 'Go ahead'. "Okay, if you say so. Anyway, I was wondering… have you confessed your undying love for Rei yet?"

Kai rolled his crimson eyes and slapped his forehead. "Great, I knew this was coming…" he sighed. "Why do you keep on asking, anyway?"

"Well… no reason… it's just, oh and this was quote by Dizzi, okay? Not me, her! Okay, under the quote of Dizzi: You guys are perfect for each other." Tala said, while going down the staircase. "Oh, and Kai? A little warning: beware of Rei's little cousins. They're probably going to interrogate you with questions." And with that, Tala dashed out of the castle and into the fields, where his father, and the rest of the advisors whom were instructing the servants where the seats or the big, vases with flowers would go.

Kai shook his head and also went downstairs, only he went to the Great Hall, where breakfast was being served. When he got there, what he saw was unimaginative. The very long table was full of people who were sitting there; he recognized some of them, being his relatives and all, and some people who he didn't know, and he presumed that they were Rei's relatives. He felt like he was in a big family reunion.

When he took a seat right beside Rei, a swarm of little kids came to him and looked at him with great big eyes. He gave them a half smile and started to get some breakfast. He took a few bites off his toast, when he noticed that the little kids were still staring at him with those great, big eyes. It was getting a little unnerving, really. I mean you would squirm too, if gigantic chibi eyes were staring at you, not blinking even for a half second even if you're a cold-hearted, emotionless, "I don't care about anyone" type of guy.

"Is something wrong?" he tried to make the tone of his to be a little less emotionless, since he might scare the little kids away.

Rei noticed how his little cousins were staring at his fiancé in a fixed gaze and sweat dropped a little. Then, he took one of them and placed his little cousin in his lap.

"Who's he…?" Rei's little cousin asked, while pointing at Kai, who was looking at her at the corner of his eye. Rei's other little cousins started jumping and nodding, saying, "Yeah, who's he? Who's he?", making Rei smile at them and even Kai form a half a smile.

"His name's Kai," replied Rei, while petting his little cousin's head, and also not noticing how Kai looks at him and how the crimson-eyed young man was impressed at how affectionate the neko-jin is towards little kids.

One of Rei's little cousins (the one on his lap), Amane, nodded her head, while still looking at Kai in an intense gaze. The little girl couldn't help but wonder, if the huge man in front of him would protect her big cousin Rei against all the bad guys after they get married. She got off from Rei's lap, and climbed onto Kai's, which made the said one surprised. "Are you Rei's fiancé?" she asked, still looking at Kai with those unblinking eyes…

Kai nodded, still halfway eating his bacon.

"You'll protect him, right? Right?" Amane asked again, making the other children say the same thing.

Again, Kai nodded his head, while watching the little girl get off his lap and went off to play with her other cousins. When he looked up, he saw Rei smiling at him and became confused yet happy that he made Rei smile. "What are you smiling about…?" he asked.

"Surprisingly you didn't scare all of my little cousins with that death glare of yours. But, then again… all of them are really courageous, so your death glares probably won't work," Rei answered, while letting a playful smirk out. He then took a drink of his orange juice and with full of manners; he wiped his mouth on a piece of cloth.

"You know… I'm suppose to be insulted, but for some reason, I'm not," Kai said, also letting a playful smirk come out.

Rei was about to say something… but again, like earlier, they were interrupted. But not by Tala this time, this time it was…

"Stop flirting, and get a move on, will you?"

…Bryan who interrupted them. Kai sighed, and stood up from his seat, taking his arm out so Rei could link his arm with him. He was pleased that Rei gladly took it, and with that both left the Great Hall, arm in arm. When they had come out of the castle, what they saw really took their breath away.

The green fields that were bare that you could see endless of green when they had first come here was now filled with a lot of chairs in rows both vertically and horizontally in two sets with a gap in between. In between, there's a long, velvety red carpet, which ran along down where the front is. Just as the long red carpet was about to end, there was a small stage that took a shape of a half of an octagon, and behind that was a big arch, wrapped in vines with white flowers. Two China vases were standing on both sides of where the arch is and they were full of peonies in bloom, and ribbons that hung like curtains on the arch.

Both Kai and Rei were fascinated at the sight. Never had the both of them see a marvellous work.

"You like it?" The engaged couple looked to their side, and saw Lady Leila standing right beside them also smiling softly at the sight in front of them. "You'll have to thank the advisors for such wonderful work. It almost feels like you looking at a painting, am I correct?" The two of them nodded, still speechless. They'll have to thank the advisors later. "Well the two of you better get a move on. We'll be starting the rehearsals in two minutes." With that, Lady Leila gave a peck on a cheek on her son and son-in-law to be and walked towards her husband, who was talking to one of Kai's relatives.

"Let's go, everybody will be wondering what happened to us," Kai murmured quietly, not wanting to disturb Rei since the crimson-eyed young man was seeing that his fianc's face was peaceful and serene.

Rei nodded, and let Kai lead him to where the others are.

"There you two are! I was wondering where you were," Dizzi exclaimed, while dragging Rei away from Kai. "Come on, Rei… we're starting the rehearsals… first up is the marching ceremony." While Dizzi was dragging Rei, the said neko-jin looked back, and gave an apologizing smile towards Kai, who was glaring at the back of Dizzi's head. Kai didn't even realize that he was also being steered at the stage by someone.

"What the hell…?"

"Stop swearing, would you?! There are little kids here, and you'll give them a bad influence!" It was Tyson that veered him towards the low-height stage. Kai rolled his eyes, and pulled his arm away from the blunet's clutches. He then saw that his and Rei's relatives were starting to sit on the chairs, except for the other people who standing up on the right side, waiting patiently (excluding the little kids who were running around in circles, or either crying out loud, or fighting).

When Kai saw a person coming towards the organ (he was curious at how the servants dragged a huge organ outside), he didn't even notice that Tala and Tyson had come by at his side.

"So, are you ready for your wedding, Mr. Hiwatari?"

The said latter snorted and crossed his arms. "Formalities aren't getting you anywhere, Ivanov." Kai was still a little bit annoyed that Tala had interrupted him and Rei earlier at the bedchambers, and it looks like the said redhead had recognized this.

"Look Kai, if this is about you, Rei and that position that I sa--"

"Eurghh… DON'T EVEN SAY IT, TALA! There are children here! Besides, I don't want know about Mr. Sourpuss's ermm… extracurricular activities with Rei!" Tyson scrunched up his nose like he was constipating, while putting both his hands on his ears. "LALALALALA… I'M NOT HEARING ANYTHING!!!!" Unfortunately for the boy, almost everybody had heard him, and now they're all looking at the bluenet like he was some kind of deranged slave that had just gotten out of the dungeons.

Kai rolled his eyes and smacked Tyson right on the back of the head. "You're an idiot, did you know that, Kinomiya?! I'm going to tell this once… and I'm going to tell it again. REI… AND… I… AREN'T… DOING… ANYTHING!" Kai hissed, while Tala was trying to distract the audience in front of them.

"Uhh… he he… nothing to see here, people! Err… just watch the people march right up front, okay?" the redhead said, while sending a deep dark glare towards the other two. "Unless you want my father and the rest of the advisors on your heels--don't roll your eyes, Kai; believe me, they WILL kill you right on the spot--I suggest you two will NOT mess the rehearsals up! Despite the fact that the advisors were very tired, they still did this, EVEN at the crack of dawn!"

In the meantime, where Rei and the others were, things were perfectly in order and they were right on task. Everything was in place, and the people that were supposed to walk right down the middle were wholly in line and in order.

Rei was anxiously glancing from left to right, looking at the people that were lining up with him. Oh when is this going to start? He thought, while fidgeting his thumbs. He was so anxious that he didn't even notice someone walk towards him, until said person had tapped him on the shoulder.

"Umm… Rei?"

The neko-jin turned around and saw that Mariah had tapped him on the shoulder. He gave his cousin a half smile and said, "Yes, Mariah?" He watched as his pink-haired cousin bit her lip nervously, trying to say something.

"Umm… can we talk somewhere else that's quiet?" she asked quietly, as if she doesn't want anyone hearing their small conversation, making Rei kind of suspicious. The raven-haired young man reluctantly agreed, and led her away from the crowd, and into the riverside, where only the rushing sound of the water is present.

Silence had consumed the both of them, not knowing who should start the conversation. Too many bad experiences have had happened these past few weeks that both cousins don't know how their conversation should start. Rei was just staring right ahead of him, while Mariah was just looking down.

"So… what are going to talk about?" Rei finally asked, since the silence was getting to him, and if they had stayed away from the crowd too long, they would all probably wonder where did the "bride" and the bridesmaid went.

"Well… I just want to say… I'm sorry," Mariah said quietly, while rubbing her left arm as if it was comforting to her. "I'm sorry that I tried stealing you away from Kai, I'm sorry that I keep on insulting him and your friends in front of you, and I'm sorry for not supporting you at your decision."

Rei looked at his cousin, stunned. He never really expected Mariah to apologize like that, and when he had heard those two words, Rei gave Mariah a smile and a one-armed hug. "Apologies accepted. But you shouldn't really apologize to me; you should apologize to the others. Now, lets go back to the rehearsals, okay?" With that Rei led Mariah back to crowd, where he received a big, long lecture from Dizzi about vanishing into thin air, and about worrying people to death (wow… it seems that it's Dizzi's time of the month…)

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When the organ had started playing it's melodious tune, it was then Kai realized that the rehearsals had FINALLY started (he had been waiting for at least half an hour already). He watched a few children walking down the aisle, while the advisors were guiding them to where they were suppose to sit. He saw Max, Bryan, Kenny and Dizzi walking down the aisle already, and also to his distaste, his fianc's cousin as well. And finally, after waiting for a long time, Kai saw Rei walking down the aisle with Rei's parents.

Even though it was only the rehearsal, Kai was astounded at how Rei looked. The neko-jin's tanned complexion was blending perfectly with the morning/high noon sunlight, while the honey-coloured eyes shined with brightness, the emotions happiness, glee, timid, and love (?) was reflecting through. And how could Kai forget the kitten's smile? It is was as if this was Rei's happiest day of his life (it was probably the happiest day of his life), that the smile would light every dark corridor, while bringing a smile to everyone's face.

When Rei and Rei's parents had come to the front, Kai gave them a small bow, then gave Lady Leila a peck on the cheek, and Lord Rai a small handshake. After that, Lord Rai had given Rei's hand towards the crimson-eyed young man, and sat with his wife at the very front row on the left side.

Everything was going great according to their schedule, and everyone was doing their part perfectly, well except for Tyson that is. Every time he walks by, he trips and falls over, sometimes bumping to someone, making the person fall over and which made another fall over, and another, and another, and so on and so forth… like dominos falling on one another!

Anyway, as the sun was still above their heads, they were almost done with the whole ceremony, except for where the groom kisses the "bride" after the priest/minister said, "Now you may kiss the bride". Suddenly, Tala had this crazy idea about that certain part.

"Err… Miss Judy," he said to the female advisor while raising his hand up.

"Yes, Tala?" Judy asked, while looking towards his way.

Tala gave a deep breath and closed his eyes, as if he was trying to think up of something that he could say. "Well… I was wondering… if this is a rehearsal and all… shouldn't Kai and Rei also practice the kissing scene so that they won't mess up?" His icy blue eyes gave a mischievous look towards the glaring Kai and the slightly blushing Rei.

Judy turned her head towards the advisors, asking their opinion if they should agree with Tala's suggestion. With a few words and nods exchanged to one another, the female advisor turned her head towards Tala and gave a small smile. "On behalf of the rest of the advisors and I, your suggestion is agreed upon on, Tala."

The red headed youth nodded, trying to pretend to be all business like. Then, he gave a small grin towards Dizzi, who in turn put her two thumbs up as if she was trying to say that Tala did a good job (which he probably did). Tala looked at Kai and Rei, implying that they should do what the advisors and he had discussed on.

Kai was going to kill Tala any second now. He can't BELIEVE that Tala would suggest that! But then again… this IS Tala we're talking about… he thought, while taking both Rei's arms with his hands, and without any warning, the slate-haired youth put his lips against the neko-jin in a kiss. At first it was kind of awkward, since there were people there staring at them while in lip-lock, but soon the awkwardness vanished and soon, both of them were unaware that there were people right in front of them… until they were interrupted once again.

Someone cleared their throat, and Kai reluctantly took his lips away from Rei and glared at the said someone, who just meekly smiled and told them that they have been kissing for five minutes and that the people had gone back inside the castle for the continuation of the rehearsals.

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"So when exactly are we going to eat?" It was Tyson had asked that question, when Kai and Rei had entered the Great Hall.

From before the rehearsals had even started, it seems like the servants worked on the arrangements of the tables and chairs for the reception while everybody was outside. The great long table had been move to the side, while medium-sized tables were in place in the centre with chairs to match. Silver cutlery, and china plates were placed neatly on the table with goblets place right on the left-hand corner of the plates. And right up front was a long table (not as long as the first table that was mentioned) where the soon-to-be married couple are going to be seated.

Sir Ivanov sighed as he led Kai and Rei towards the head table. "We're not going to eat, Tyson. We're just going put the people on their arranged seats for the wedding," he said, not noticing the bluenet widen his eyes, though he did certainly heard him.

"WHAT?! We're not going to eat?! But I'm starving! I'm going to die of hunger as we know it!" He sobbed on the table, while Max was patting his back and saying soothing words to his ears.

While Tyson was busily sobbing his heart out over nothing… Sir Ivanov explained to Kai and Rei about the arrangements. The head table is where Kai, Rei and their parents/grandparent are going to be seated, while the advisors are at one of the round tables near the head table, and also one for Kai and Rei's friends. The rest of the round tables are for Kai and Rei's relatives, in which the advisors are still working on.

"When are we going to eat?"

"Not yet, Tyson."

"How about now?"

"No…"

"Now?"

"Oh for the love of Pete, WE'RE NOT GOING TO EAT YET!"

"So, who's Pete exactly?"

"… You know what? Never mind."

Crystal: Hope you guys liked! I really have nothing to say right now… so I'll leave it here. Ja ne minna-san! Review, onegai?